Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-11-20

between the Missouri river and the
Pacific-that great region opened and
developed by the pioneers-7we
will find that it is larger than the
whole of India, which is support
ing two hundred and forty mil
lions of people. Our government has
by wise legislation, during the pas,
one hundred years, to some extent
divided up the public domain in such
manner as to aid the home builders,
the encouragement of whom is the
secret of our great prosperity and
national safety; and for political and
commercial reasons, if not by the best
management, has contributed largely
toward the construction OF the
great transcontinental Railways
wise and economic policy when we
consider the inestimable benefit they
have been to us as a nation and peo-
pie, and by giving subsidies to those
| lines OF commercial intercourse, the
land retained by the Government has
been benefited and more than doubled
in value.
1t is not believed, however, that all
the measures of internal improvement
have been exhausted. There is in
deed much room for higher and
fuller development of that policy, and
in opening new industries and giving
occupation to labor. The British gov
eminent, the richest of all Europe,
has not only built railways through
India, by which they are able to bring
the products of that country into
NIL, fhNoa of
country to the detriment of our
farmers and producers, but they have
wisely expended millions of British
gold in developing water and the con-
struction of vast irrigating canals and
storage reservoirs, by which they have
made that remarkable country one of
the most productive in the world.
Surely there can be no reason why
the United States should be out
done in national enterprise. While
millions of dollars are appro-
priated for river and harbor improve
ments, possibly it would be we'll to
devote some attention to the vast
areas of the West, portions of which.
though comparatively useless now,
might be turned into busiest scenes
and industries. 1t certainly cannot
be expected that pioneers and settlers
who take up 100 acres of land as
homesteads must by private expendi-
lures inauguarate system of internal
improvements that would benefit the
public domain still held by the Gov
eminent.
Some of your land is of course too
mountainous and rugged to be Of any
use for agricultural purposes, but Ari-
IONA has various resources. Even the
rockiest mountains hold their hidden
mineral treasures.
Now that the work of exploring is
over-every section OF our country
with the exception of Alaska,
being set forth with we'll
defined lines upon our maps
the effort of all should now be to
sustain and elevate the standard of
our civil Government, and to develop
the resources of the country. In that
field, and especially in the territories,
none are better fitted than the pioneers
themselves, whose spirit Of integrity
and boldness of purpose led them
to the accomplishment of their
great work of exploration and
settlement. should inspire them
when the territories are ready to as
sumo the responsibilities and dignities
of sovereign statehood, to make each
the best in point of government and
morals, that the last may be first in
the standard of excellence, and for
Arizona, l wish her all the blessings
that can come of good government,
enlightened people, and lasting pros
perity.
To the Pioneers of California my
heartiest greetings go. l congratulate
you one and all on the work accom-
plished. I congratulate you all the
more on the future promise that is
based upon the endeavors Of your
early settlers whom to-day are here
represented.